HHS inspector general stepping down from watchdog role

Daniel Levinson, the inspector general of the Department of Health and Human Services, announced Tuesday that he is resigning at the end of May.

Levinson served in the watchdog role for 15 years, overseeing investigations into a range of controversial health issues inside the department.

{mosads}Most recently, under President Trump, Levinson led investigations into the separation of migrant children from their parents at the border, and former HHS Secretary Tom Price’s use of private jets.

Just last week, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone asked for an inspector general investigation into Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma’s use of taxpayer dollars to hire GOP communications consultants.

Principal Deputy Inspector General Joanne Chiedi, who has worked with Levinson for nine years, will take over in an acting role as the inspector general, her office said.

“Under Dan’s leadership, the HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) has done tireless, invaluable work to protect program beneficiaries and taxpayer funds, improve the management and integrity of HHS programs, and respond to emerging challenges such as the ongoing opioid crisis,” Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar said in a statement.